THE LABOUR PARTY AND AUTISM IN THE UK

THE LABOUR PARTY AND AUTISM IN THE UK

Ivan and Charika Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK have urged the Labour Party's 'conviction politicians' to take urgent action over Autism at the 2003 Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth.

(PRWEB) October 6, 2003

Ivan and Charika Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK issued an appeal to the Labour Party's 'conviction politicians' to speak out on behalf of those who cannot speak out for themselves - the 520,000 Autistic Community in the UK. The appeal went out to the Labour Party at the 2003 Labour Party Conference held in Bournemouth in October.

'We need Labour politicians to speak out for parents, carers and autists who need more public services in health, education, specialist speech therapyand respite care,' said Ivan Corea in Bournemouth.

The Minister for Children Margaret Hodge speaking at a fringe meeting at the Labour Party Conference stated that it will take 10 years until the National Service Frameworks for Children is implemented.

'But what do we do until then, my son is 7 he has no specialist speech therapy does this mean I will have to wait 10 years for public services - parents, carers and autists find it unacceptable,' said Ivan Corea.

The Coreas urged real and urgent action. Autism is a time bomb waiting to happen. The UK media seems to focus only on the MMR Controversy. But what about the 520,000 people who desperately need public services. Our children have no specialist speech therapy, no real classroom support in many areas of the UK, no respite care for parents and carers.

'Public services do need reforming, but autistic children and adults are suffering and struggling without ANY public services,' said Ivan Corea.

Time and time again parents, carers and autists come up against a wall of indifference, apathy and cost cutting. It is absolutely immoral - autistic children and adults are being denied their fundamental human right tp public services - in many areas of the UK, despite Prime Minister Tony Blair's strong comments on equality of opportunity and social justice.

Tony Blair, to his credit is the first British Prime Minister ever to talk about autism. Parents, carers and Autists are urging the Prime Minister to take urgent action and provide the Autistic Community with public services.

The Autism Awareness Campaign UK have called upon the Government with the support of the Labour Party to -

set up an AUTISM REGISTER in the UK where every Autistic child and adult is registered.

Schools should be the focus for co-ordinating the SERVICE PROVISION for each and every autistic child in the UK. If there are gaps, local councils, local education authorities and NHS Trusts must be held accountable. At the moment there is confusion as to who provides what for autistic children.

*Schools should organise regular meetings - every term - of health, education, social services, speech therapy services, voluntary sector, parents and carers, so that they could meet together to assess and evaluate the progress of every autistic child. Joint working and joined up thinking is absolutely crucial where autistic children are concerned.

*Leisure services are virtually non-existent for people with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome in the UK. The Autism Awareness Campaign in the UK have appealed to Margaret Hodge, the Minister for Children to order and urgent review of leisure services for people with disabilities. In some areas, parents and carers have had to beg for swimming lessons from their local pool for autistic children as many centres do not have any provision for children with SEN.

*The DfES must come up with special assessments for autistic children who are unable or are not entred for GCSE and A Level examinations. At the moment there are no qualifications for autistic children andadults. The DfES must also initiate a UK RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT - for every autistic child and adult - informing potential employers the positive skills bank an autistic person has - in order for them to access the world of work.

*Autistic people need special schemes into further education and higher education.

*We need tougher new laws on discrimination and employment - where people with disabilities are concerned.

*The Government must safeguard the rights of autistic people where the Anti-Social bill and the Mental Health Act is concerned.

These are only a few concerns shared by Ivan and Charika Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign in the United Kingdom. They have urged Tony Blair, the leader and the Labour Party to re-connect with people with Disabilities, including the Autistic Community.

Nubella™ Releases Preliminary Results from Reader Survey

Nubella™ Releases Preliminary Results from Reader Survey

Data shows N Booklet meets or exceeds reader expectations from first 5,500 respondents.

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) May 21, 2004

Nubella™ LLC, an innovative direct marketing firm catering to consumers interested in improving their personal health and nutrition, today released preliminary results from its inaugural N Booklet Reader Survey. The results indicate that the first issue of the N Booklet, mailed to homes in late April, met or exceeded expectations among 90 percent of the readers.

The data from the first 5,500 respondents to the online survey showed that 95 percent are female, and approximately half of the respondents are married with children and are college-educated. This data parallels results collected in NubellaÂ’s second pilot book survey, completed by 900 respondents last November. Furthermore, nearly 50 percent of the recipients are between the ages of 33 and 45, and of those who have children, the ages are just about evenly split between five categories: 0-3, 4-8, 9-13, 14-18, and 19 years or older.

The survey also reveals which articles the N Booklet readers found most interesting, and what particular subjects they most want to see in upcoming issues. The most popular “future topic” requests are: recipes, diet & weight loss, and nutrition. Respondents are also interested in reading about health news, food & produce, weight training, vitamins, anti-aging, healthy home, and beauty (in order).

The number one-rated story in the April/May 2004 issue was “The Top 10 Superfoods,” followed closely by “Water: The Ultimate Anti-Aging Tonic.” Other top-rated stories include “5-A-Day The Color Way” and “South Beach Diet vs. Atkins.”

“It’s clear from our survey results that the N Booklet fills a niche in the female consumer’s mind,” said Matthew Combs, CEO of Nubella. “These consumers are clearly concerned about what they eat, and they are asking for more educational materials relating to nutrition, eating wisely, weight management, and staying young and healthy. The N Booklet appears to be the right message at the right time.”

Respondents also rated the recipes from the April/May 2004 issue, most of which were provided by N Booklet partner www. allrecipes. com. Coming out on top was the recipe for Asian Grilled Chicken, followed by Angel Hair Pasta with Prosciutto, and Blackberry and Blueberry Pie.

Not surprisingly, an overwhelming number of respondents requested that future issues include more coupons. Top requests include healthy frozen foods, vitamins, beauty supplies, and snack options.

The survey results include detailed comments from more than 40 percent of the respondents, a figure that impresses Barbara Bourassa, Editor-in-Chief of the N Booklet. “The survey results from our inaugural issue have been extremely helpful in helping us to better understand our reader, their interests, and how that relates to our existing and future partnership strategy,” said Bourassa. “With this data in hand, our team will better be able to serve our audience of both consumer and advertisers alike.”

About Nubella, LLC

Nubella, LLC is based in Dallas, Texas. Founded in 2002, the company is dedicated to helping improve the health and nutrition of all consumers. The Nubella N Booklet and Bill of Health concept is a first-of-kind offering aimed at educating consumers about their overall nutritional intake, while at the same time educating individual consumers about various methods and opportunities that exist to improve their own personal health. The first issue of the N Booklet was released in April 2004.

More information is available at http://www. nubella. com (http://www. nubella. com) or http://www. nbooklet. com (http://www. nbooklet. com)
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Grass Station is Webster's New World's 2007 'Word of the Year'

Grass Station is Webster's New World's 2007 'Word of the Year'

Webster's New World® College Dictionary. Fill 'er up! (with the back yard). Grass Station is Webster's New World's 2007 'Word of the Year'. Do environmentalists fall asleep to dreams about fields of Iowa corn filling up the tanks of station wagons? What about NASCAR drivers? Maybe they do, if recent advances in technology -- and the popular buzz that follows -- are any indication. That's why the 2007 Word of the Year at Webster's New World® College Dictionary is: grass station. The term is so hot that it has already appeared on the op-ed page of The New York Times, a worthy successor to the 2006 champion Word of the Year, crackberry.

Hoboken, NJ (PRWEB) November 2, 2007

Do environmentalists fall asleep to dreams about fields of Iowa corn filling up the tanks of station wagons? What about NASCAR drivers? Maybe they do, if recent advances in technology -- and the popular buzz that follows -- are any indication.

That's why the 2007 Word of the Year at Webster's New World® College Dictionary is: grass station. The term is so hot that it has already appeared on the op-ed page of The New York Times, a worthy successor to the 2006 champion Word of the Year, crackberry.

Grass station, a pun on "gas station," refers to a theoretical fill-up spot in the not-too-distant future; it reflects America's growing love affair with hybrid cars and vegetable-based fuels (and words), including ethanol and biomass fuels -- some of which really are distilled from plain old grass -- said Webster's New World editors who chose the term from more than 200 buzz-worthy finalists.

"Webster's New World editors and researchers constantly collect examples of emerging English -- some 2,000 new examples per month," explained Editor in Chief Michael Agnes, who helps select the Word of the Year annually with this team, "and choose one word or phrase that captures our imagination."

Other strong contenders for 2007 Word-of-the-Year honors included these hip and happening coinages:

IPodization -- The creeping cultural practices and expectations of those for whom a relentless acoustic haze of popular music is mandatory and the consolidation of entertainment and technological novelty is a categorical imperative.

Freegan -- Dumpster-diving goes trendy. Freegans live according to a strict credo: Don't buy anything if you don't need to. As part of an effort to go completely off the shopping grid, they hunt and gather tossed-out (but still safely edible) food from restaurants and grocers, then serve it up for dinner. Now that's a radical idea.

God particle -- The Higgs boson, the last piece in the jigsaw puzzle of subatomic physics. It is the theoretical agent that endows the universe with the phenomenon of mass. As such, its power in the scheme of physical reality is so great that the metaphor of God seems necessary.

In most cases, the word designated as Word of the Year word has not yet found its way into the dictionary.

"The choice does not reflect an opinion that the term will eventually be found in the dictionary," said Agnes. "It's merely one that made us chuckle, think, reflect or just shake our heads."

Through more than five decades of language research, Webster's New World College Dictionary lexicographers have created a uniquely modern dictionary that helps college students and everyone else understand and use the English language as no other dictionary can. Webster's New World offers the most readable, precise, and up-to-date definitions on the market. It also contains useful reference materials not found in some other college-level dictionaries:
a full-color atlas of the world; an explanation of the rules of punctuation; geographical tables; and scientific and measurement charts.

In addition, the history of the English language is traced -- including the identification of unique Americanisms -- with detailed etymologies. And the dictionary is printed on high-quality paper that enhances readability and durability.

The official dictionary of the Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and other leading news organizations for years, Webster's New World College Dictionary represents the best in linguistic scholarship.

For more information on the lexicographical process behind the dictionary, contact Editor in Chief Mike Agnes for an interview via Susie Dempsey 201/748.5625 or sdempsey@wiley. com.

Webster's New World® -- We Define Your World®

Webster's New World®
The Webster's New World family of reference books has been "Defining Your World" for more than fifty years. From its initial mission to provide a commonsense, user-friendly dictionary specifically for American English, Webster's New World has now set the standard for clarity, ease of use and reliability. Webster's New World is famous for providing a wealth of up-to-date and comprehensive references for the home, office, and classroom as well as pocket references for people on the go. For more information, visit wiley. com. Webster's New World is an imprint of Wiley.

Wiley
Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., provides must-have content and services to customers worldwide. Its core businesses include scientific, technical, and medical journals, encyclopedias, books, and online products and services; professional and consumer books and subscription services; and educational materials for undergraduate and graduate students and lifelong learners. Wiley has publishing, marketing, and distribution centers in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols JWa and JWb. Wiley's Internet site can be accessed at http://www. wiley. com (http://www. wiley. com)

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Political Consultants Take Stage at 9/30 Forum at City Club of Portland

Political Consultants Take Stage at 9/30 Forum at City Club of Portland

Portland, OR (PRWEB) September 17, 2005

At its weekly Friday Forum luncheon on Sept. 30, City Club of Portland presents “Oregon’s Own Karl Roves: Democracy in the Age of the Political Consultant,” with guest speakers Chuck Adams, Lisa Grove, Jack Kane and Mark Wiener in a forum to be moderated by Willamette Week’s Mark Zusman.

Do political consultants make politicians lie? Or, better yet, can voters handle the truth? You may not recognize these names, but you know their work. Mark Wiener has helped elect 80 percent of the current City Council. Chuck Adams is Karen Minnis' main man — and for a lot of other Republicans as well. Lisa Grove ran numbers for Ron Wyden and Ted Kulongoski. And when Jack Kane speaks, Kevin Mannix listens.

It is common for earnest, Constitution-fearing citizens to denounce the skullduggery of political consultants, who, they say, have poisoned the political process with negativity, meaningless rhetoric and what Fleetwood Mac called “sweet little lies.” Are consultants political monsters? Or are they hard-working citizens, professionally obliged to tell their bosses what the public already thinks, but secretly hoping that someday, some client will say, "Yes, I know what the polls say — but gosh darn it, I want you to tell me how we can win by telling the truth!"

Here's your chance to find out. Here's your chance to mix it up with the folks who fill your mailboxes and TV screens every election year. Join us on Sept. 30 for a lively discussion of democracy in the age of the political consultant.

NOTE DIFFERENT VENUE THIS WEEK ONLY: City ClubÂ’s Friday Forum, which is open to the public, will be held in the Benson Hotel (309 SW Broadway). Doors open at 11:30 a. m. Program begins at 12:15 p. m. and concludes at 1:15 p. m. Luncheon reservations must be made online at www. pdxcityclub. org or by calling 503-228-7231, ext. 102, by 2 p. m. Wed., Sept. 28 (members only may call 503-241-9242). Luncheon tickets are $20 ($16 for members of City Club). Coffee/tea table tickets are $5 at the door. General seating, available at the door, is $5 (free for members of City Club).

A NOTE TO MEDIA

Media are encouraged to attend and are invited to sit in general seating. Please sign in at the registration table on the day of the forum. For broadcast media, an audio press patch will be available, and a riser for videotaping can be provided with advance notice. Contact Tim Krause at 503-228-7231, ext. 102.

ABOUT CITY CLUB OF PORTLAND

City Club of Portland is a nonprofit, nonpartisan civic affairs organization that promotes civic engagement and active citizenship to build a stronger community. Through unbiased research and compelling programs, City Club connects citizens with ideas and issues that affect our community. City Club is open to everyone who wants to interact with other citizens and shape the future of our city and state. For more information about City Club of Portland, visit www. pdxcityclub. org or call 503-228-7231.

ABOUT CHUCK ADAMS

Born and raised in northern Idaho, Chuck celebrates his 30th year of living in Oregon. He is the owner of Adams & Company, a political and public relations company in Oregon. ChuckÂ’s firm specializes in political campaigns and message management for political leaders, trade groups and business executives.

Adams has been the lead consultant for over 10 years for the Oregon House and Senate Republicans. In addition, he was the lead consultant for the Washington state House Republican Caucus in 2004. Adams was the lead consultant on the repeal of Measure 30, the LegislatureÂ’s tax increase in 2003, which was defeated 60%-40%.

Adams and his wife Jill just celebrated their 25th year in business. During that time Chuck has helped dozens of people win seats to the Legislature and other levels of public office. While Adams & Company is a full-service political consulting firm, in 2004, Adams & Company designed over 1,000 campaign pieces and printed over 10 million fliers, brochures and handouts.

Adams has led five different delegations to Eastern Europe, Russia and the Ukraine in exploration of business, political and education opportunities. He was one of Campaign and ElectionÂ’s delegation members to Eastern Europe in 1990, just three months after the Berlin Wall came tumbling down.

Adams was also selected as one of Campaign and Election’s “Rising Stars” in 2002. He is the founder of the Oregon Campaign Institute, which is the primary training program for republicans in the state of Oregon.

Currently, Adams is the lead consultant to Oregon House Speaker Karen Minnis and Oregon House Majority Leader Wayne Scott.

ABOUT LISA GROVE

Lisa Grove, founder and principal of Grove Insight, has been the lead strategist for numerous political candidates, nonprofit organizations, corporations and labor unions. She has a reputation for providing research and communications and outreach campaigns. Grove has unseated two incumbents and prevailed on scores of ballot measures — her firm’s win/loss record is 43 to 3.

Grove has conducted surveys and moderated hundreds of focus group discussions and dial test sessions for presidential, senatorial and gubernatorial candidates. Her clients have included Vice President Al Gore and U. S. Senator Bill Bradley; U. S. Senators Ron Wyden, John Glenn, Tom Daschle and Carl Levin; Oregon Governors Ted Kulongoski and Barbara Roberts; and U. S. Representatives Susan Davis, Darlene Hooley, David Wu, Peter DeFazio and Brian Baird. Grove also consulted to Cesar Gaviria's successful bid for the Presidency of Colombia. In addition to being WydenÂ’s political pollster, Grove was his Communications Director in the special election following Bob PackwoodÂ’s resignation.

Advertising agencies, public relations firms and Fortune 500 companies have relied on GroveÂ’s research to develop corporate image campaigns in the United States, Asia and Latin America.

A seasoned public speaker, Grove has briefed heads of state, U. S. Senators, Hollywood types and the countryÂ’s leading policy-makers on a wide variety of issues. She has been quoted in publications ranging from the Wall Street Journal to Mother Jones, the Bend, Oregon Bulletin to the Washington Post. She has also been a guest lecturer at the Graduate School of Political Management, American University, George Washington University, University of Portland and Carleton College.

Prior to starting her own company, Grove was Vice President at Mellman Group for nine years in Washington, D. C. Before that, Grove was a Research Associate at Hill and Knowlton's Research subsidiary, Strategic Information Research Corporation and Belden Opinion Research.

A native of the Pacific Northwest, Grove graduated from Lewis & Clark College in 1984 with degrees in communications and international affairs.

ABOUT JACK KANE

Jack Kane is the founder and president of Creative Strategies. For more than two decades, Kane has been a well-known figure in Northwest politics and government relations. He has consulted the campaigns of a number of sitting lawmakers, as well as public awareness campaigns for several counties, municipalities and state agencies. Kane has been acknowledged nationally in the areas of direct mail and television production and is a frequent lecturer at the Campaigns & Elections national campaign schools in Washington D. C.

ABOUT MARK WIENER

Over the past 22 years, Mark Wiener has worked at every level of government and politics. Starting in 1981 as an aide to New York Congressman Charles Schumer, Weiner has also served in a staff role at the state and local level, including stints as Policy Director for the Democratic Caucus of the Oregon House of Representatives and Chief of Staff to Multnomah County Commissioner Dan Saltzman.

Specializing in message development, direct mail and electronic media, Wiener is a sought after political consultant for Democratic and non-partisan campaigns, helping direct races for U. S. Congress, Oregon House and Senate, Portland Mayor, New York City Council, Illinois House, and numerous bond and ballot measures. He has also designed and implemented independent expenditure campaigns for a wide variety of organizations.

Wiener also has extensive experience in “issue marketing:” positioning elected officials and organizations on subjects including child abuse, libraries, criminal justice, consumer protection, human rights, economic equity issues and open space, livability and environmental protection. A partial list of Wiener’s clients include: Basic Rights Oregon, U. S. Senator Ron Wyden, Congressman Earl Blumenauer, Congressman Charles Schumer, Portland Mayor Vera Katz, Boise Mayor Dave Bieter, Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers, Oregon Education Association, Oregon NARAL, Sam Adams for City Council, Oregon AFL-CIO

And Oregon Trial Lawyers Association.

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"The Spirit of America" Gibson Les Paul Guitar Is Now On Display at Ellis Island

"The Spirit of America" Gibson Les Paul Guitar Is Now On Display at Ellis Island

Grammy Award Winning Guitarist Duane Eddy Opened the Exhibit. This one of a kind exhibit will be on display July 14, 2010 – August 1, 2011

Cherry Hill, NJ (PRWEB) July 18, 2010

A one of a kind custom designed Gibson Les Paul guitar was unveiled to the public on July 14th, 2010 for the first time since it’s creation at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. What makes this guitar so historically significant is that it is entirely hand crafted from artifacts preserved during the centennial restoration of the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island.

This meaningful instrument was commissioned by Gold Leaf Corporation, through an exclusive agreement with The Statue of Liberty–Ellis Island Foundation, Inc., and crafted at Gibson’s Custom & Historic Division in Nashville, TN.

The entire body of the guitar is made from wood that was preserved from steps and doors of the historic Main Building at Ellis Island, the copper inlay and hardware of the Les Paul guitar were created from copper that was preserved from the Statue of Liberty National Monument. Gibson also created a beautiful display for the guitar from a section of an armature bar that was removed and preserved from the Statue of Liberty.

The Liberty Les Paul is the second in a series of fifty independent works of art (representing the 50 states) that will be made from the artifacts and known as “Liberty Ambassadors”. The first work of art in the series was the Liberty Bike, which was featured on the Discovery Channel.

“Utilizing the universal language of music, this beautiful example of instrumental art will always serve to inspire the unifying message of hope and freedom while celebrating the diversity of America,” said Rick Stocks, President of Gold Leaf Corporation.

American guitar legend Duane Eddy helped dedicate this one-of-a-kind guitar. Eddy is a Grammy Award winner, and a member of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. While Steve Briganti, President & CEO of The Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. looked on, Duane Eddy and Superintendent of the National Park Service, Dave Luchsinger, took turns strumming a few chords on the guitar with Eddy delighting the crowd by playing a little of his hit “Rebel Rouser”. Eddy then presented the guitar to the National Park Service, for placement in its impressive exhibit case. The guitar’s exhibit at Ellis Island marks the first time that this historic instrument has been placed on public display.

“The Spirit of America” Gibson Les Paul is one of the most symbolic and meaningful guitars in the world. It will be on display at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum through August 1, 2011.

About The Ellis Island Foundation, Inc and Gold Leaf Corporation

The Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation, Inc.
The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization founded in 1982 to raise funds for and oversee the historic restorations of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, working in partnership with the National Park Service/U. S. Department of the Interior. Its endowment has funded over 200 projects at the islands, and its newest project is The Peopling of America® Center at Ellis Island.

Gold Leaf Corporation
Gold Leaf was established in 1984 and is the exclusive partner of The Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. for artifacts preserved from the centennial restoration of the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island. Gold Leaf is dedicated to utilizing the artifacts preserved from The Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island in specially designed programs for art & education.

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Buzzplant Internet Marketing Group Builds Client Base And Breaks New Ground In Online Outreach And Corporate Development

Buzzplant Internet Marketing Group Builds Client Base And Breaks New Ground In Online Outreach And Corporate Development

Franklin, TN based BuzzPlant has grown into an undisputed leader in faith-based internet and word of mouth marketing. For the past 7 years, BuzzPlant has developed into a highly respected technology company whose innovative approach has made them a one-stop shop for all internet, new media, and word of mouth needs. This includes, but is not limited to, internet marketing, viral campaigns, advertising, cell promotions, consulting, web design, and development.

Franklin, TN (PRWEB) August 20, 2008

Franklin, TN based BuzzPlant has grown into an undisputed leader in faith-based internet and word of mouth marketing. For the past 7 years, BuzzPlant has developed into a highly respected technology company whose innovative approach has made them a one-stop shop for all internet, new media, and word of mouth needs. This includes, but is not limited to, internet marketing, viral campaigns, advertising, cell promotions, consulting, web design, and development.

Under the leadership of Bob Hutchins, BuzzPlant's approach has been purely relational. It's not just about creating the most interesting and compelling technology, its building trusted associations between both clients and consumers. When innovative marketing meets trusted relational networks, the result can't help but motivate both sales and product loyalty. "Rather than just another mass marketing tool, we view the internet as what it was originally created-for people to talk to one another. When you take the time to interact with people and find out what they like and dislike, it becomes a very powerful tool," explains Hutchins.

This consumer loyalty has caught the eye of industry leaders, including Sony, Twentieth Century Fox, Icon Films, Time/Life, Warner Brothers, Thomas Nelson Publishing, BMG and INO Records. BuzzPlant has executed creative marketing strategies for these and many other companies. Including viral videos, media streaming, large email campaigns, social network marketing, and online ad buys.

This week, BuzzPlant will be completing the NOW DEBATE THIS project. Created by Pinnacle Performance Group, which specializes in heritage education and heritage development programs, BuzzPlant designed and implemented the platform by which the entire scholarship competition was based. This included social networking programs, online video and blog programming, live web streaming and reality show style voting. The competition concludes tomorrow, Tuesday, August 19, when two students will tackle the question "Who was the greater president, George Washington or Abraham Lincoln?" to win a $150,000 scholarship to the school of their choice, with the runner-up receiving a $50,000 scholarship. BuzzPlant will be hosting not only the live debate feed, but will be tabulating the voting process as viewers decide who is the more compelling debater.

Regarding their work with BuzzPlant on the Now Debate This Campaign, Steven Feldman, Emmy Award winning television director and president of Sam Hill Entertainment states, "These guys are on the cutting edge of what is happening in the entertainment and media world right now. They never cease to amaze me with their creativity, speed of execution, and ability to draw in the target market on every project we have hired them on. After many years in traditional television and film, they have opened my eyes to whole new world and way of delivering content."

One of the more unique elements of BuzzPlant is the Ground Force Network that Hutchins owns with Beth Cathey. This innovative program has built network of volunteers across the country who embody grassroots word-of-mouth marketing campaigns. This street-team army is made up of community tastemakers and motivators who are a perfect compliment to any creative marketing campaign.

Hutchins has built BuzzPlant slowly and methodically, fulfilling the company's commitment to run debt free. Unmatched expertise in the market, combined with this dedication to ethical business practices truly sets BuzzPlant apart from similar organizations. Now, with well over 1 million email addresses in their opt-in database system, BuzzPlant is, by far, one of the largest Internet and new media marketing companies in the CBA industry.

He will be authoring a new book along with Greg Stielstra called The 10 Commandments of Faith Based Marketing due out in early 2009 on Wiley and Sons Publishers.

For interview opportunities please contact:
Lesley Burbridge-Bates
L. A.B Media
(615) 567-6201
Lesley. bates@labmediaonline. com

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InPro Honored for Environmental Leadership, Green Building Products

InPro Honored for Environmental Leadership, Green Building Products

Company president speaks on hard-dollar gains from green business initiatives

Milwaukee, WI (PRWEB) October 26, 2010

At this year’s Smart Business Forum “Sustainable Case for Business” conference, InPro Corporation was honored with “The Stream” award in recognition of its green achievements. More than 200 attended the conference, which was held October 20th at the Country Springs Hotel in Pewaukee, Wisconsin.

The award followed a presentation by InPro President Phil Ziegler on the company’s achievements through its Sustainable Business Practices Team, a committee that considers numerous ways InPro can make improvements in environmental sustainability stewardship. The Team focused on three areas: Green Building Materials, Corporate Culture and ROI Projects.

Earlier this year, InPro stepped well ahead of its competitors by launching a new sustainable building product line using rapidly renewable biopolymer. Called BiopolymerPETG+ products, the new green building product line uses corn-based plastic and recycled content, making InPro the first in its industry to take the bold step away from fossil-fuel based plastics for door and wall protection products.

Cultural change was achieved through raising awareness of environmental stewardship, such as turning off lights, recycling batteries and cell phones, encouraging carpooling and switching to all-electronic payroll, which eliminates paper paystubs and checks. One key event was Earth Day 2010, which became a one-day celebration and educational forum, capped by the planting of a tree at InPro University, the company’s day care, which will now be an annual event.

Ziegler proved that being a green company can help companies save some “green” with a tally of about a dozen initiatives that will return a net savings of $155, 828 this year alone. These projects included installing low-flow toilets, replacing grass with a no-mow Wisconsin prairie and installing a high-speed garage door to save on heating. Year two savings are estimated to total $213,748, which will roll forward after that.

Earlier this year, InPro was also honored with the Water MVP Award from Waukesha County Water Conservation Coalition, which read, “For outstanding efforts to use water in the most efficient way possible. Your leadership by example and continuing pursuit of even higher efficiencies of water use make yours a true company of distinction. Your willingness to share your success, and educate others, makes InPro Corporation not only an environmental leader, but also an inspiration to others.”

“We’ve learned much through this process, and we’re going to keep it going in the years ahead,” Ziegler concluded. Ziegler’s PowerPoint presentation can be found at http://www. inprocorp. com/sustainablepracticesppt.

BACKGROUND

InPro Corporation – Based in Muskego, Wisconsin, InPro is the nation’s premier manufacturer of building products, offering the most choices and best service in door and wall protection, decorative surfaces, expansion joint systems, cubicle track & privacy curtains and signage & wayfinding. InPro products are used in the healthcare, senior living, hospitality, education, government, marine and retail sectors.

InPro Corporation also operates an exclusive Color and Design Center that employs a professional, licensed interior designer who assists customers in coordinating InPro products and custom environments that integrate color, style, function, comfort and life safety.

For more information on InPro Corporation, visit http://www. inprocorp. com, or call 800-222-5556.

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USAID Tours Afghanistan Technical Vocational Institute (ATVI) in Support of $3M Grant Awarded for its Expansion

USAID Tours Afghanistan Technical Vocational Institute (ATVI) in Support of $3M Grant Awarded for its Expansion

USAID representatives tour ATVI to discuss the future of $3M grant for the institute.

Vienna, VA (PRWEB) November 11, 2008

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) (www. usaid. gov) representatives today visited the Afghanistan Technical Vocational Institute (ATVI) (www. atvi. edu. af) in Kabul as part of the $3M grant awarded for the expansion of the institute. This grant was awarded through USAID's Capacity Development Program (CDP) in support of the school's pursuit of academic excellence and educational opportunities for the citizens of Afghanistan.

Mr. Flynn Fuller, USAID's acting Deputy Director of the region, and his delegation began the visit with a tour of the classrooms and facilities where he chatted with the students. Following a luncheon with faculty, students, and staff, the delegation met with Mr. Sardar Roshan, Afghanistan Business Development Director for ANHAM, LLC (www. anham. com) and former director of ATVI, and Dr. Najib Omary, Executive Director of ATVI, where they discussed plans for acquiring accreditation and opening satellite campuses in addition to the one currently under construction in Laghman province.

"The executive visits by USAID and other VIPs from various international organizations bring more support to our educational goals in Afghanistan," stated Mr. A. Huda Farouki, CEO of ANHAM, LLC.

ATVI, Afghanistan's first post-war co-educational vocational school, was developed through a collaborative effort between ANHAM, LLC, Knowlogy International (www. knowlogy-intl. com), an ANHAM affiliate, and the Afghan Government and Ministry of Education.

"We intend to continue our growth through diversifying our teachers' training packages and establishing programs of basic and advanced skills development throughout the country," said Mr. Farouki.

For the 2008/2009 academic year, the School is providing training for more than eight hundred male and female students from Kabul and other urban and rural regions in Afghanistan.

About ATVI:
ATVI (www. atvi. edu. af) is a co-educational facility in Kabul, Afghanistan, where students are competitively selected through an examination process for the one-year condensed course. ATVI provides training for male and female students, drawn from Kabul, other major cities, and the rural areas. As a co-educational institution designed to support and educate all potentially productive members of Afghan society, ATVI strives to maintain a minimum threshold of 10% female enrollment. Courses are offered in our key training sectors: Automotive Systems Technology, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Building and Construction Trades, and Horticulture. ATVI faculty and staff are highly qualified; all hold international educations, degrees, and certifications. More than half of the faculty members hold a Master's degree or higher.

In order to build a self-sufficient, income generating institute, ATVI incorporates profit centers as a major component of its operations. These profit centers benefit the Institute, the local community, and the student as they provide the hands-on experience needed to compound and complement the education provided in the classroom. Designed to be mutually beneficial, the profit centers offer students the opportunity to experience and train for their chosen career in a real-life environment, the local community purchasing the service is charged a competitive and affordable fee, and the provided revenue is used to maintain scholarship programs and facility upkeep.

About ANHAM, LLC:
ANHAM, LLC ( www. anham. com ) is a leading contracting firm working throughout the Middle East and North Africa ("MENA"), Central Asia, and Europe. With a century's worth of experience between its principal founding companies, ANHAM is able to efficiently, effectively, and affordably deliver products and services throughout the world. Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, ANHAM has international offices that specialize in providing local support and services to its initiatives, projects, and investments across diverse regions of the globe.

About Knowlogy International:
Knowlogy International (KI) (www. knowlogy-intl. com) is the leading provider of training and development programs and related services worldwide. Since its inception in 1995, KI has been creating and supplying training solutions to governments, businesses, organizations, and educational facilities on a global scale.

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Research Shows Business Women Support Hillary Clinton For President

Research Shows Business Women Support Hillary Clinton For President

Recently-compiled research reveals that women entrepreneurs want Hillary Clinton as the next president of the United States.

Columbus, OH (PRWEB) May 5, 2008

CNN, MSNBC and others have long reported that Hillary Clinton boasts an arsenal of white female supporters who are fueling her continued success in primaries around the nation. However, according to a recent report by the National Association of Business Women and Moms (NABWM), among those fervent females vying for her nomination are business women of all ethnicities.

The research also reveals that women in the upper echelon of business are pulling out their checkbooks to garner more funds for the Clinton campaign.

Women account for 40 percent of Clinton's "bundlers"--the top fund-raises who pull in donations from others. Oxygen's former chief executive, Ms. Laybourne, hosted a cocktail party in her Manhattan apartment for women in media, including Diane Robina, president of emerging networks for Comcast Corp. and Sara Levinson, a publishing-unit heard at Rodale Inc.

"There's a sisterhood solidarity going on here," says Ms. Caputo, who served as press secretary for Clinton when she was First Lady.

Clinton's financial transparency is also lending her credibility and building trust among female voters. According to the article "How Voters May React to the Clintons' $109 Million Income," American voters don't begrudge wealthy candidates their money because many aspire to wealth themselves.

"The Clintons' have now made public 30 years of tax returns, a record matched by few people in public service, said Clinton campaign spokesman Jay Carson in a statement. "None of Hillary Clinton's presidential opponents have revealed anything close to this amount of personal financial information."

Clinton also scored endorsements from high-profile women's political organizations, including Emily's List and the National Organization for Women, which laud her efforts to champion for women's rights. The National Organization of Women (NOW) endorsed Clinton for her demonstrated commitment to protecting women's right to choose. Clinton has expanded access to family planning services and spoke out forcefully against the Supreme Court's April 2007 decision that failed to recognize the importance of women's health. According to NOW's website, Clinton has "eloquently articulated the need for full economic, political and social equality for workers to advance the civil and human rights of women and girls".

Gender is not the only reason many of America's women are actively endorsing the female candidate. Clinton's policy positions on labor, education, healthcare and work-life balance are driving business women to support her campaign. Today, despite the progress women have made toward equality, they earn 77 cents for every dollar men earn, with women of color earning even less.

Clinton has long been a champion for equal pay for women. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, of which Senator Clinton is an original cosponsor, would reestablish a fair rule for filing claims of pay discrimination based on race, national origin, gender, religion, age or disability.

"We thought we had ended discrimination in the workplace against women when the Equal Pay Act was passed all those years ago," said Clinton. "But clearly, we have not finished the business of guaranteeing equality in the workplace: fair and equal pay for those who do the same jobs."

Clinton also introduced the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would take critical steps to empower women to negotiate for equal pay, to create strong incentive for employers to obey the Equal Pay Act and to strengthen federal enforcement efforts.

Clinton's plan for preparing America's youth for jobs of tomorrow includes more science, education and innovation that she says "must begin before kindergarten and extend through college, and a lifetime retraining." According to the organization Business Women for Hillary, this is important "for one of our biggest challenges in business--hiring qualified employees."

Clinton's plans for affordable and accessible healthcare are also attracting businesswomen, especially small business owners. While small businesses are an engine of job growth, they face many challenges when it comes to providing healthcare for their employees. Clinton's proposal would give tax credits to small businesses that provide healthcare to their workers to help defray their coverage costs.

Many women still assume the responsibility of primary caretaker for their children and elderly parents. For these working women juggling many responsibilities, Clinton's plans to help families achieve a better work-life balance are especially appealing. She also plans to extend the Family Medical Leave Act, which enables new parents to take time off without loosing their jobs.

"With sound policies and sensible investments, we can give parents more choices to make the decisions that are best for them," Clinton said. "We can make life a little easier for everyone-for mothers and fathers-to do the most important job there is in any society: raising and nurturing the next generation."

Clinton also promotes telecommuting by encouraging its use at federal agencies and planning to invest up to $50 million annually in local and state initiatives. Telecommuting provides flexibility for employees and allows employers to reduce increasing office space demands.

If Clinton clinches the Democratic nomination in August, women--especially women in business-- will be largely to thank.

The National Association of Business Women and Moms (NABWM) is an online initiative to help business women become successful. Their organization provides extensive research about business women and professional women in the workplace, and a free directory of home business ideas. For more details, visit http://www. businesswomen. org (http://www. businesswomen. org)

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Supplier Excellence Alliance Member Conference set for September 20, 2007 in Bethesda, Maryland

Supplier Excellence Alliance Member Conference set for September 20, 2007 in Bethesda, Maryland

The Supplier Excellence Alliance (SEA) - a partnership of leading aerospace and defense prime and tier-one contractors and their suppliers is holding a Member Conference on September 20, 2007 in Bethesda, Maryland. The conference will be hosted by SEA member, Lockheed Martin Corp.

Irvine, California (PRWEB) August 8, 2007

Lockheed Martin Corporation will host the Supplier Excellence Alliance (SEA) Member Conference on September 20, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda, One Bethesda Metro Center, Bethesda, Maryland. An opening Reception on the evening of September 19 will precede the Member Conference.

SEA is a non-profit alliance of leading aerospace and defense primes and tier-one contractors and leading sub-tier suppliers dedicated to transforming the U. S. supply chain. SEA helps suppliers improve performance, expand capabilities, and collaborate to produce breakthrough, integrated supply chain solutions.

SEA Member Conferences are educational forums that focus on the special needs of small and mid-sized supplier companies.

Conference highlights include:
Key Note Speaker Michael Joyce, Vice President - Lean, Lockheed Martin. Mr. Joyce will share his insights on the deployment of lean within Lockheed Martin and its supply chain.

A Process Stability demonstration by SEA certified consultant Daniel Feiman.

Supplier presentations on the impressive results achieved through implementation of the SEA Lean Enterprise System.

A presentation by two supplier companies currently implementing the SEA Lean Enterprise System on achieving Stage One SEA Certification.

An update on the Top 10 supply chain issues which were identified during the February 1, 2007 SEA Member Conference, with a special focus on the top four issues.

SEA member companies represented on its board of directors include BAE Systems, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Company, United Technologies, Parker Aerospace, Rockwell Collins, Cessna Aircraft Company, Honeywell, TW Metals, Bombardier, Hitco Carbon Composites, Firth Rixson, Dresser-Rand, Roberts Tool Company, Cristek Interconnects, Photo Etch Company, Smiths Aerospace, Bodycote Thermal Processing and DRS Technologies.

SEA partners and alliances include: Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG), California Council for Excellence, U. S. Mexico Chamber of Commerce, California Employment Training Panel, California Space Authority, UAW-Labor Employment and Training Corporation, CONNSTEP, Inc., Alliance for Manufacturing & Technology (AM&T), ASG Renaissance, and Net-Inspect.

To register to attend the SEA Member Conference, please RSVP to Ms. Hilda Pacheco-Taylor at (949) 476-1144, extension 316 or via email at Hilda(@)seaonline. org. To learn more about SEA visit the SEA website at www. seaonline. org.

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Texas-Based Father Program Invited To Mentor Parent Leaders at Institute Gathered In Washington

Texas-Based Father Program Invited To Mentor Parent Leaders at Institute Gathered In Washington

Seven-year father involvement model reaching 6,000 dads highlighted at annual NCCEP gear up education conference, group demonstrates how active fathers in schools empowered communities

New Braunfels, Texas (PRWEB) July 14, 2010

A group of fathers and their children from South Texas will lead a discussion in Washington, DC on Monday, July 19 about using father involvement models to improve student academic success. They hope to demonstrate how active fathers in schools nationwide can drive systemic change in their communities. The group represents a unique Face Gear Up partnership program that has catalyzed over 6,000 fathers in six primarily Latino South Texas school districts.

Www. FathersActive. com (http://www. fathersactive. com)

The group’s official title is the FACE / GEARP UP STAR Father-Student Leadership Team and is part of Fathers Active in Communities & Education (FACE), one of the flagship GEAR UP STAR partner programs based in South Texas. The FACE STAR Father-Student Leadership Team will share its best practices to parents who are convening for the Parent Leadership Institute at the annual convention of the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP).

“Over seven years, we’ve seen major strides in South Texas with an increase of father engagement by fathers who have become parental role models that drive academic success,” said Alphonso Rincón, founder and President of FACE. “Our father-student leaders come from Alice, Texas where they have been living out a success story about how fathers can help create entire cultural shifts in communities around education, family, and economic development.”

President Obama recently announced a new push to support programs focused on developing the role of the father in raising children. According to the White House announcement, two of every three children in low-income households don’t live with their biological father and this rampant father absenteeism impacts a student’s life achievement.

The National Center for Educational Statistics, however, found that even when fathers live in the same household with their children, they are only half as likely as the mother to be highly involved in their children’s education, 26% and 56%, respectively.

“We’ve achieved some amazing progress in our community. Presenting in Washington will be an opportunity to showcase our work and hopefully we will inspire fathers and parents in the rest of the country to do the same,” said José Rodriguez, who heads the FACE STAR Father-Student Leadership Team.

Besides José Rodriguez and his grandson Kristopher Rodriguez, the team in Washington will include Arnold Carrillo Jr., Nicole Marie Carrillo, Arnold Carrillo III, Xavier Carrillo, Raúl and Melba Villalpando Jr., Alexander Villalpando III, Elizabeth Villalpando, and Alicia Rodríguez.

“I am very excited that the Team is going to Washington. They are ready, they will grow even more, and they will inspire whoever listens to their story,” added Rincón.

The FACE GEAR UP STAR program is a research-driven approach that focuses on dads as strategic partners in the effectiveness of the school system to prepare students for higher education. Research shows it is setting a new pace in parental involvement for the State of Texas’ 1,000-plus school districts and the nation’s network of GEAR UP projects.

GEAR UP partnerships are six-year projects which begin at middle school or junior high. The GEAR UP STAR Partnership includes the Texas Education Agency, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, six school districts, and partners such as FACE.

“This is very exciting for Alice ISD and the GEAR UP STAR Partnership,” said Amy
Koenning, implementation director for GEAR UP STAR at Texas A&M University -
Corpus Christi. “Parents have attended GEAR UP conferences in the past. But ours is
The only GEAR UP Partnership we know that focuses on the involvement of fathers.
The unique contribution of our FACE STAR Father Student Leadership Team is twofold:
(1) it showcases a father-focused parental involvement model and (2) the fathers and
The rest of the FACE Leadership Team will be in the role as presenters.”

For information about the Parent Institute at the annual NCCEP Conference, go to http://www. edpartnerships. org (http://www. edpartnerships. org).

About GEAR UP STAR
GEAR UP STAR is administered by the Texas Education Agency and Texas A&M
University – Corpus Christi through a grant by the U. S. Department of Education.
GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs)
Partnerships increase the academic readiness of under-represented populations in
Postsecondary studies. STAR’s mission is to create the infrastructure that supports high
Student achievement through enhanced teacher competence, increased parent/student
Awareness, and extensive community/business commitment. The STAR partners include
The Texas Education Agency, the College Board, P-16 Partnerships for Student
Success at the College of Education at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, The
National Hispanic Institute, and Fathers Active in Communities and Education. For more
Information, visit http://www. tcer. org/ (http://www. tcer. org/)

About FACE
Alphonso Rincón founded Fathers Active in Education & Communities (FACE) in 2003. FACE’s mission is to build communities of fathers to transform education and civic life.
For more information, go to www. FathersActive. com (http://www. fathersactive. com).

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Johnson Elected 2005-06 President of ISPI DFW Chapter

Johnson Elected 2005-06 President of ISPI DFW Chapter

Stacey Johnson, president of Zen Consulting, was named president-elect for the 2004-05 term. Her term will focus on creating a stronger sense of community among the chapter and evangelizing the benefits of human performance technology to the DFW business community.

(PRWEB) June 28, 2004

Stacey H. Johnson, a Certified Performance Technologist and president of Zen Consulting LLC, was recently named president elect of the International Society for Performance ImprovementÂ’s DFW chapter.

JohnsonÂ’s extensive experience in the performance improvement field includes membership of the national ISPI organization for nine years, and the local chapter for the past year. Johnson previously was communications chair for the DFW chapter.

“I am excited about taking the helm of the metroplex’s premiere performance improvement organization. We have an unbelievably talented pool of members and regular attendees whose experiences I will rely upon during my tenure. It’s a shared vision - as well as passion - for improving organizations that unites the chapter,” Johnson said.

JohnsonÂ’s three-year term begins immediately as president elect working under current chapter President George Pavelek. In June 2005, Johnson will become chapter president, and in June 2006 will begin a term as the immediate past president on the board.

“Stacey Johnson is an outstanding individual who will provide the chapter with excellent leadership and maintain some of the momentum we’ve established,” said Pavelek. “Stacey has the right combination of passion, commitment and vision that will guide the chapter in the subsequent year.”

Johnson listed several priorities for her term, including the continued use of a vision model to identify the chapterÂ’s core strategy and objectives for the next several years. A vision models is an analysis tool that helps organizations make comparisons between their ideal and current states and formulate transition paths for achieving the ideal state. The chapter has identified six transition path projects to focus on within the next year, and Johnson wants to work closely with chapter members to continue upon the groupÂ’s positive momentum.

“It’s important that we practice what we preach. No organization is exempt from continuous performance improvement - including our own,” Johnson said. “By focusing on the first six vision model projects, we can reaffirm our commitment to HPT practitioners in the DFW area and evolve into a strong community that serves the needs of both our members and the community at large.”

Johnson also wants to increase education programs in Human Performance Technology, the ISPIÂ’s formal methodology that derives from a wide range of interventions including behavioral psychology, instructional systems design, organizational development, and human resources management. Johnson believes the increased use of education programs will act as an outreach to organizations not familiar with HPT and the ISPI.

“Many companies are unfamiliar with human performance technology and the benefits that result from HPT interventions. It’s my goal to ensure that our practitioners are top-notch in the field and that DFW-area companies understand and implement the appropriate solutions to create more desirable, productive work environments,” Johnson said.

During JohnsonÂ’s term, the national ISPI organization will hold its annual international conference in Dallas. The visibility accompanying the event is something Johnson plans to leverage to increase the local chapterÂ’s profile.

“It will be a challenge to host such a large event, but we plan to use our talent base in showcasing some of the exciting developments in the performance improvement field here in the local Dallas/Fort Worth area,” Johnson said. “We need to rise to the occasion to demonstrate to our national peers how involved and passionate our members really are.”

Johnson, who was elected at the June monthly chapter meeting, will replace George Pavelek, who will become immediate past president in 2005.

# # #

About Zen Consulting LLC

A privately held company founded in 2001, Zen Consulting is a Business Performance Management (BPM) firm that specializes in helping organizations re-engineer their business so they can take advantage of today’s growing economy. With a multidisciplinary approach that pulls from the best of BPM, program/project management, content management, knowledge management, and real-time collaboration, our solutions facilitate awareness, improvement, results, and ultimately enlightenment. The company also has developed expertise in Continuous Performance Improvement™, a set of proprietary performance improvement methodologies.

Human Capital Institute and Camden Consulting Group to Announce Results of 2009 Greater Boston Area Talent Markets Report

Human Capital Institute and Camden Consulting Group to Announce Results of 2009 Greater Boston Area Talent Markets Report

The Human Capital Institute (HCI), a global professional association and think tank that is advancing the science of strategic talent management, and leading talent management solutions provider Camden Consulting Group will announce the results of a key new talent study, the Greater Boston Area Talent Markets Report 2009, on June 15, 2009 at the Talent Management Forum for Greater Boston, an event created to help organizations better understand and improve the region's talent market.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) June 13, 2009

The Human Capital Institute (HCI) (http://www. hci. org), a global professional association and think tank that is advancing the science of strategic talent management, and leading talent management solutions provider Camden Consulting Group (http://www. camdenconsulting. com) will announce the results of a key new talent study, the Greater Boston Area Talent Markets Report 2009, on June 15, 2009 at the Talent Management Forum for Greater Boston (http://www. hci. org/hci/forums_talent_mgt_boston_2009.guid), an event created to help organizations better understand and improve the region's talent market.

The report examines a number of key themes than can help Boston-area employers better understand the critical factors that their current and potential talent look for in a place to live and work. Key report findings include:
Boston-area employers experience significantly fewer barriers to acquiring and retaining talent than the national average. Boston employers are usually successful at finding talent with most critical knowledge competencies. Boston employers have difficulty finding enough talent with education in computer science -- however they do not have difficulty finding talent with most other educational backgrounds.

The study also looks at the Greater Boston talent market from employees' perspectives, with findings that include:

Safe neighborhoods are the single most important factor influencing Boston employees' choice of where to live. Boston employees are a highly educated, successful, and skilled subset of the region's total workforce. Boston employees put place first and job second when choosing where to live -- in fact, 72% of employee respondents to the survey have lived in the Greater Boston area for 15 or more years.

The Talent Management Forum for Greater Boston, the event at which the Greater Boston Area Talent Markets Report 2009 will be released, will take place Monday, June 15, 2009 from 7:30 a. m. to 11:30 a. m. at the Millennium Bostonian Hotel. National and regional leaders will convene to discuss regional talent branding and to review the HCI study. Speakers from top employers such as State Street Corp., Novartis, EMC, and Raytheon will convey priorities and collaborate with leaders across business, government and academia to drive talent competitiveness in the region.

Keynote speaker, Stephen Pagliuca, Managing Partner and Executive Committee Member of the Boston Celtics, will explain how the Boston Celtics and Bain Capital have embraced and practiced talent management to gain a competitive advantage and create success in their very different arenas. He will also describe the common challenges organizations face today, whether they are in the world of high finance or professional sports, including the common threads in assembling, motivating and retaining talent.

For more information on the Boston Area Talent Markets Report 2009, or to register online for the Talent Management Forum for Greater Boston, visit http://www. hci. org/hci/forums_talent_mgt_boston_2009.guid (http://www. hci. org/hci/forums_talent_mgt_boston_2009.guid)

The Talent Management Forum for Greater Boston immediately precedes HCI's special-topic talent management event, the Workforce Planning Conference, which will take place June 16 and 17 at the same location. For more information or to register online, visit http://www. hci. org/hci/events_conference_workforce_plan_2009_06.guid (http://www. hci. org/hci/events_conference_workforce_plan_2009_06.guid)

About Camden Consulting Group:
Camden Consulting Group, a division of Keystone Partners, works with organizations of all sizes and industry specialties to meet strategic goals and achieve competitive advantages by developing and improving the specific skills that result in improved employee performances. In partnership with clients, Camden creates focused, practical and integrated talent management solutions. We enable client success through capability building approaches in five interconnected areas: organizational planning, acquiring, developing, deploying, and retaining talent. These capabilities are further supported with customized culture, change management and communication approaches that ensure our clients achieve their organizational goals. With Camden, clients gain insight through perspective. To learn more about integrated talent management solutions, visit www. camdenconsulting. com

About The Human Capital Institute:
The Human Capital Institute (HCI) is a catalyst for innovative new thinking in talent acquisition, development, deployment and new economy leadership. Through research and collaboration, our global network of more than 150,000 members develops and promotes creativity, best and next practices, and actionable solutions in strategic talent management. Executives, practitioners, and thought leaders representing organizations of all sizes, across public, charitable and government sectors, utilize HCI communities, education, events and research to foster talent advantages to ensure organizational change for competitive results. In tandem with these initiatives, HCI's Human Capital Strategist professional certifications and designations set the bar for expertise in talent strategy, acquisition, development and measurement. www. hci. org

PRESS CONTACTS
Camden Consulting Group
Katherine Swift
508-543-8653
Kswift @ thetanengroup. com

Human Capital Institute
Laura Polas or Aimee Diehl
866.538.1909
Press @ hci. org

This press release was distributed through eMediawire by Human Resources Marketer (HR Marketer: www. HRmarketer. com) on behalf of the company listed above.

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Granite Commercial Management is a Bronze Sponsor and Exhibitor at NADCO Western Regional Conference in Kona, Hawaii on October 10-13

Granite Commercial Management is a Bronze Sponsor and Exhibitor at NADCO Western Regional Conference in Kona, Hawaii on October 10-13

Granite Commercial Management (GCM) is a bronze sponsor and will host an exhibit booth at the Western Regional Conference of the National Association of Development Companies (NADCO) October 10-13, 2010 in Kona, Hawaii.

Denver, CO (PRWEB) October 7, 2010

Granite Commercial Management (GCM) is a bronze sponsor and will host an exhibit booth at the Western Regional Conference of the National Association of Development Companies (NADCO) October 10-13, 2010 in Kona, Hawaii.

GCM is highly sought after by SBA lenders for their commercial construction expertise and innovative online technology. Specializing in SBA site visits and property inspections necessary for SBA 7A and 504 loan reviews and annual audits, GCM offers inspections before liquidations, bankruptcies or deferments. Forensic inspections are utilized in cases of failed construction or property damage.

GCM provides a full-suite of SBA and construction risk management services including: Property Condition Assessment Reports; Annual, Deferment and Liquidation Site Visits; Forensic Inspections; Construction Draw Inspections; and Special Asset Services.

GCM will have booth #3 in the exhibit hall at the 2010 NADCO Western Regional Conference. Staff will be on hand from October 10-13 to discuss how outsourcing to GCM will protect your SBA loans from fraud and risk.

To learn more about GCM, visit http://www. granitecm. com or call 866.710.4099.

GCM hosts the annual Strategies for Success in Construction Lending Seminar (SSCL Seminar), a national conference bringing together the SBA lenders and commercial construction lenders for networking and educational sessions. Event sponsorships and speaker opportunities are being accepted for the March 2011 event in Colorado. Visit http://www. SSCLseminar. com for information.

The Granite Companies produce the trusted industry e-newsletter, the Construction Lending News. Visit http://www. constructionlendingnews. com to subscribe today.

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Linfield College’s Adult Degree Program Hires New Associate Dean of Nursing for Distance Learning

Linfield College’s Adult Degree Program Hires New Associate Dean of Nursing for Distance Learning

Linfield College announces the hiring of a new Associate Dean of Nursing for Distance Learning. The number of students enrolled in Linfield’s online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Program has increased 53% over the last year.

McMinnville, Oregon (PRWEB) April 21, 2010

Linfield College’s Adult Degree Program, which offers bachelor's degrees and certificate programs in both online and hybrid settings, announces the hiring of a new Associate Dean of Nursing for Distance Learning. Jacqueline "Jacque" Dolberry will support Linfield’s rapidly growing online RN to BSN program.

The number of students enrolled in Linfield’s online RN to BSN degree program (http://www. linfield. edu/dce/rn-to-bsn. html) increased 53% over the last year, from 91 students in Spring 2009 to 139 in Spring 2010.

Dolberry, who joined Linfield in early February, came from Salish Kootenai College in Montana where she was Director of the Nursing program. Salish Kootenai is the only tribal college Nursing program with national accreditation in associate and baccalaureate programs. “My focus has been on health disparities, cultural competence and diversity in nursing and health professions in both my education and clinical roles," says Dolberry.

The new dean’s background and experience with recruitment initiatives for under-represented groups in the workforce and the academy will enhance the diversity recruitment and retention in the Linfield-Good Samaritan School of Nursing. Linfield’s RN to BSN degree program employs a variety of delivery formats to overcome barriers registered nurses frequently encounter in accessing higher education – work schedules, proximity to a college and responsibilities to family. RNs can complete all of the courses in the RN to BSN degree through online classes. Each RN-BSN student carries carry out a clinical experience, tailored to the RN’s learning and professional goals, wherever they are licensed in the United States.

Dolberry is completing a PhD. in educational leadership at the University of Montana.

About Linfield College Adult Degree Program (http://www. linfield. edu/dce/)

Chartered in 1858, Linfield is one of the oldest colleges in the Pacific Northwest and is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The Division of Continuing Education’s Adult Degree Program offers adults the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree or certificate in both online and hybrid (combination online and classroom) settings. Bachelor’s degrees offered include Accounting (http://www. linfield. edu/dce/online-accounting. html), Arts and Humanities, Business Information Systems, Management, Social and Behavioral Sciences and International Business. Certificate programs (http://www. linfield. edu/dce/certificates. html) include Accounting, Computer Information Systems, Human Resource Management and Marketing.

Students in Linfield’s online degree and certificate programs come from all over the country, representing twenty five states. Linfield College has been offering online courses for over ten years.

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Real Estate Expert Reveals Profitable Apartment Investing Techniques

Real Estate Expert Reveals Profitable Apartment Investing Techniques

Commercial Real Estate Investing That Requires No Money Down.

Memphis, TN (PRWEB) October 3, 2007

With August 2007 new home sales falling to their lowest levels in seven years and prices declining more than seven percent, according to the Wall Street Journal's Real Estate Journal, the market is prime for investing. This month, David Jackson, a commercial real estate and apartment investing expert, announced the launch of his comprehensive new educational program, The Massive Cash Flow System (http://www. mymassivecashflow. com), which helps anyone, regardless of their experience or background, learn proven commercial real estate investment methods and strategies.

The new business-in-a-box delivers straight-forward, step-by-step guidance for locating and purchasing apartments for exceptional profits. The program, which includes The Massive Cash Flow System manuals and instructional CDs business forms and agreements, plus access to expert, personalized, one-on-one guidance, shows anyone how to qualify for a commercial real estate loan regardless of their personal credit, employment or financial situation.

"I show students how to break into the apartment investing (http://www. mymassivecashflow. com) business using absolutely no money of their own," explains David Jackson, Founder and CEO of The Massive Cash Flow System. "This easy, fool-proof system saves months of research. It can also save students hundreds of thousands of dollars in mistakes."

To order or learn more about the Massive Cash Flow System, visit http://www. mymassivecashflow. com (http://www. mymassivecashflow. com). Visitors can also register to receive a free commercial real estate investing newsletter and request a free, informative audio CD at http://www. freeapartmentbuyingtips. com (http://www. freeapartmentbuyingtips. com).

About The Massive Cash Flow System

David Jackson, dubbed ''The Massive Cash Flow Guy'', is a commercial real estate investing expert and accomplished author. David found a largely untapped niche in apartment investments, earning massive profits. He then began teaching students his time-tested strategies for reaping a continual revenue stream through the purchase and management of apartment investments using no money of their own.

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Virtual World Learning and Training Partnership Formed

Virtual World Learning and Training Partnership Formed

Cranial Tap joins forces with Innovative Decisions and Human Mosaic Systems to deliver comprehensive human understanding and solutions to virtual learning environments.

Round Hill, VA (PRWEB) November 16, 2010

Cranial Tap, Inc., a leading developer of virtual world solutions, announces a partnership with Innovative Decisions, Inc. and Human Mosaic Systems. The partnership will bring new capabilities and technologies to the virtual world learning, training and simulation fields.

Backed by proven cognitive decision-making technologies, students and trainees will benefit from critical thinking systems based upon dialog theory. Training no longer needs to be a series of static steps. The new partnership will offer dynamic processes that evolve to reinforce subject judgment. Training variables can dynamically change to accommodate choices made by individuals, and groups. Simulated scenarios can be played out in endless configurations as driven by data, interactions, dialog and choices made. Virtual characters, or bots, will be programmed to interact intelligently and be capable of reason. Through these solutions, trainees will receive a realistic exposure to life situations.

Through the new partnership, a deep understanding of human psychology and social behavior will be applied to virtual learning simulations. Using scientific approaches, learning scenarios will anticipate human behavior to deliver maximum educational benefit. The introduction of the human element into complex training creates a more meaningful and rewarding learning experience for individuals and groups alike.

Global corporations, institutions of higher learning and organizations are using virtual reality systems at an increasing rate. Virtual environments are effective in connecting dispersed team members, reducing travel costs, minimizing the need for physical space and high rates of subject matter retention. Visual learning and training environments allow individuals to experience situations without risk to human life or property.

Examples of learning and training scenarios in virtual world environments include nurse and technician training, commercial safety, group critical thinking exercises, product and facility orientation, scientific and academic research, workplace relationships and emergency preparedness.

“We are excited about this new partnership and the value it will deliver,” said Dave Levinson, President of Cranial Tap. “Organizations are seeking more effective and engaging ways to train their staff and students. This new joint relationship offers deep insight and knowledge that will take learning environments to new levels.”

Dennis Buede, President of Innovative Decisions, added “Our intelligent agent technology can dramatically improve the effectiveness of virtual training and education applications. We are enthusiastic about applying this technology, Dynamic Decision Networks, to the critical task of dramatically increasing the productivity and value of an organization’s most critical resource, its people.”

“Human Mosaic Systems is very excited to be a part of this partnership with Cranial Tap and Innovative Decisions,” said Beverly Gay, President of HMS. “The unique combination of each of our companies’ skills will help to move the field forward in realizing the incredible power and potential of 3D immersive environments, especially with regard to facilitating individual and group learning and interactions.”

About Cranial Tap, Inc.
Cranial Tap, Inc. is a leading virtual world development firm located in the metro Washington, DC area. The company supports corporations, universities and organizations around the world in the development of 3D environments embedded with productive technology solutions. With a focus on virtual learning and training solutions, the company designs and constructs highly interactive spaces with effective results. More than 500,000 people have been trained using their innovative solutions geared specifically to virtual world environments. As denoted by Linden Lab, parent of Second Life, the firm is recognized as a Gold Solution Provider. Cranial Tap’s clients include Corbis, Cognizant, AOL, 1-800-Flowers, Michigan State University College of Nursing, NIC USA, and University of Virginia. Website: http://www. cranialtap. com.

About Innovative Decisions, Inc.
IDI specializes in using analytical methods and models to bring insight and closure to decision makers. Our methods include decision and risk analysis, modeling and simulation, systems engineering, performance measurement, and facilitated group decision conferencing. Our Dynamic Decision Network technology has been implemented for dozens of applications associated with the Army’s Future Combat System. IDI’s analysts have decades of successful experience applying these methods to agencies in the Intelligence Community, the services and agencies in the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and government contractors. Website: http://www. innovativedecisions. com.

About Human Mosaic Systems
Human Mosaic Systems facilitates human systems through designing robust 3D immersive environments with the complex dynamics of individuals and groups, their avatars, and the virtual environment in mind. We are architects who understand how individual and group dynamics in the physical world extend into 3D immersive or virtual environments and design spaces and courses/workshops with a deep understanding of how these complex dynamics impact organizations, teams, and individuals. We can help organizational leaders develop greater understanding and abilities to help meet the new challenges facing organizations in today's fast paced complex world. Website: http://www. humanmosaicsystems. com.

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Can You Dig It? New Dog Training Facility Opens in Mentor Ohio

Can You Dig It? New Dog Training Facility Opens in Mentor Ohio

Dog sports enthusiasts will soon have a new location to train and work with their dogs. Digging Dogs Training Center opens June 1st in Mentor, Ohio.

Mentor, OH (PRWEB) May 9, 2010

Northeast Ohio Pet owners and competition dog owners can now train their dogs and attend educational events in Lake County.

The Digging Dogs Training Center is the largest fully-dedicated dog training center in the County. Both household pets as well as competition dogs will benefit from the 5,100 square foot training arena that boasts a padded agility floor and air-conditioning.

All levels of Agility, Obedience and Rally as well as Puppy Kindergarten, Household Pet and Therapy Dog classes will be taught by the professional instructors who are all active in dog sports.

Classes begin June 1st and the facility Open House is scheduled for June 6th.

Digging Dogs is co-owned by Elizabeth Richards of PetWorks, a Mentor pet care company and Sheri Ankuda, owner of Soothing Touch Pet Care in Concord, Ohio.

For more information, contact Digging Dogs at 440-255-3500 or visit them on the web at www. diggingdogs. biz

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Former Secretary of Defense and Author/Playwright to Host Conference on Race and Reconciliation in America

Former Secretary of Defense and Author/Playwright to Host Conference on Race and Reconciliation in America

William S. Cohen and Janet Langhart Cohen are hosting leaders from politics, business, entertainment, the military, media, religion, law and academe to begin a serious, open, civil dialogue on racial, ethnic and religious prejudice. The conference will be held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on July 24-25, 2008.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) July 9, 2008

Leaders from politics, business, entertainment, the military; media, religion, law, academe, finance and non-profit and community organizations from throughout the country have already confirmed their intent to participate in a nationwide conference on Race and Reconciliation in America, to be held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on July 24 and 25.

The conference was initiated and is being hosted by former US Defense Secretary William S. Cohen and author and playwright Janet Langhart Cohen. The Cohens are the co-authors of "Love in Black and White," the autobiographical account of their bi-racial marriage.

The purpose of the Cohens' initiative is to begin a serious, open, civil dialogue on racial, ethnic and religious prejudice. Encouraged by the favorable response to date, Janet Langhart Cohen said: "Any discussion of race or racism inevitably stirs uncomfortable reactions. The problem is that racial prejudice is not just a thing of the past, and neither whites nor blacks are over it."

"Our goal is to begin a national conversation to deal with the truth, understand the need for accountability, and learn how we can work together to really achieve a post-racial society," added Secretary Cohen. "Janet and I are very pleased that so many American opinion leaders from across party, profession, geography and racial heritage, will be joining us for this discussion."

The conference will focus on education, law, economics, the media, and religion before concluding on the morning of July 25 with a session entitled "The Next Generation Speaks."

Those who have confirmed their participation to date include Academy Award-winning actor Louis Gossett, Jr.; best-selling authors Deepak Chopra, Richard North Patterson, Tom Allen and Tim Wise; historian-educators Lonnie Bunch (founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture); Ron Walters (Director of the African American Leadership Institute and Scholar Practitioner Program at the University of Maryland) and Jay Winik (author of the acclaimed "The Great Upheaval"); journalists Sally Quinn and Marjorie Valbrun; radio host and syndicated columnist Armstrong Williams; religious leaders Rabbi Avi Weiss, Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld and Rev. Roger Hambrick; US District Court Judge Harold Kennedy; sportswriter David Zirin; and Afghan veteran and former White House Fellow Westley Moore.

The conference will also include participation by civic and social innovators from across the United States, including Judith Mowry, who heads the "Restorative Listening Project" in Portland, Ore.; Manchester, Mo., Police Chief John Connolly; Peggy McIntosh, founder and co-director of the National SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) Project on Inclusive Curriculum; and Joshua Packwood, who recently received national attention as the first white valedictorian to graduate from the historically black, all-male Morehouse College in the school's 141-year history

Also attending will be Simeon Wright, cousin of Emmett Till, whose 1955 murder in Mississippi helped to spawn America's civil rights movement. A reading of Janet Langhart Cohen's new play, "Anne and Emmett" - an imagined conversation between Holocaust victim Anne Frank and Emmett Till - will be featured at the conference.

The conference is being sponsored by The Howard Gilman Foundation of New York, a non-profit foundation which has gained prominence for its White Oak conferences on public policy, conservation and the arts.

"We are very pleased to support Bill and Janet Cohen in bringing to fruition this outstanding initiative, which is very consistent with our foundation's efforts to promote new thinking on domestic and international issues of continuing concern," said Foundation Board Member Doug Wilson, who is serving as conference director.

The conference is open to the press. For more information and to cover the event, contact Colette Phillips Communications, 617-357-5777.

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Taking It to the Streets: National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month Begins July 1

Taking It to the Streets: National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month Begins July 1

NAMI Highlights Surgeon General’s Concerns

Arlington, VA (PRWEB) June 28, 2010

National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month begins Thursday, July 1, coinciding with the annual convention of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI (http://www. nami. org/)) in Washington, D. C.

NAMI’s Multicultural Action Center (http://www. nami. org/Template. cfm? Section=Multicultural_Support&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay. cfm&TPLID=56&ContentID=25443) and 2010 NAMI Convention are important hubs for multicultural concerns, building on the U. S. Surgeon General’s landmark report on Mental Health: Culture, Race and Ethnicity (http://www. surgeongeneral. gov/library/mentalhealth/cre/).

“Minority Mental Health Awareness Month (https://namimail. nami. org/exchweb/bin/redir. asp? URL=http://www. nami. org/minoritymentalhealthmonth) is a time for education, support and advocacy,” said NAMI Executive Director Michael Fitzpatrick. “One in four Americans experience mental health problems in any given year. Diverse communities are no exception.”

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month (https://namimail. nami. org/exchweb/bin/redir. asp? URL=http://www. nami. org/minoritymentalhealthmonth) officially honors Bebe Moore Campbell, one of the leading African American writers of the 20th century, who died in 2006. She was a NAMI national spokesperson, co-founder of NAMI Urban Los Angeles and an instructor in NAMI’s Family-to-Family education program.

The Surgeon General has warned that minorities:
are less likely to receive diagnosis and treatment for mental illness have less availability and access to mental health services often receive poorer quality health care are underrepresented in mental health research.

The 2010 NAMI Convention offers symposia and workshops that energize participants for action in their home communities:

Friday, July 2

Integrating Mental Health in Primary Care (10:45 a. m.)

People with mental illnesses die on average 25 years earlier than other Americans. For minority communities, shortages of mental health professionals and limited access to quality mental health care makes integration of mental health in primary care especially urgent.

Multicultural Mental Health Research (2:00 p. m.)

Research must include cultural competence, disparities and ethnopsychopharmacology.

Taking It to the Streets: Advocacy in Minority Communities (3:45 p. m.)

NAMI will review Minority Mental Health Awareness Month accomplishments during the past two years and brainstorm new activities.

Saturday, July 3

Spiritual Practice and Recovery (8:45 a. m.)

Spirituality is often a component recovery, including roles for African American congregations, zazen, centering prayer and Native American spirituality.

Approaches to Recovery in Underserved Urban Areas (8:45 a. m.)

Outreach and support to underserved populations in urban areas are critical during the severe economic hardship, uncertainty and increased need of current times.
About NAMI
NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. NAMI has over 1100 state and local affiliates that engage in research, education, support and advocacy.
Www. nami. org
Twitter. com/namicommunicate
Facebook. com/officialNAMI

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METTLER TOLEDO Announces New Product Solutions for Colleges and Universities

METTLER TOLEDO Announces New Product Solutions for Colleges and Universities

METTLER TOLEDO is pleased to offer exciting product and application solutions for colleges and universities. Ease of use and reliability of measurement data are primary concerns in a learning environment. METTLER TOLEDO offers solutions that cover basic measurement needs in all scientific work, and are supported with applications to facilitate educational programs.

Columbus, OH (PRWEB) January 26, 2007

METTLER TOLEDO is pleased to offer exciting product and application solutions for colleges and universities. Ease of use and reliability of measurement data are primary concerns in a learning environment. METTLER TOLEDO offers solutions that cover basic measurement needs in all scientific work, and are supported with applications to facilitate educational programs.

Titration in Education

METTLER TOLEDO offers a comprehensive line of titration products -- Measure acidity, alkalinity and pH values quickly, accurately and at an affordable price with the DL15 End Point titrator. The DL15 can help students check the accuracy of manual titrations, as well as offer valuable experience with instrumentation they will see in industry after graduation.

PH Solutions in the Classroom

The S20U University pH Kit offers a unique design specifically for the college laboratory. The kit includes an intuitive, easy-to-use S20 SevenEasy® pH meter, durable InLab® 404 pH electrode and a flexible holder and stand. METTLER TOLEDO pH meters are designed to withstand the rigors of daily use in all types of laboratory settings. Students are going to dish it out -- METTLER TOLEDO offers solutions that are guaranteed to take it.

Balances Built to Last

METTLER TOLEDO balances offer several different weighing applications, such as simple weighing, formulation, density determination, statistics and more, so we can meet all of your weighing needs. The Classic Plus and Classic level balances are made with a rugged metal housing as well as the MonoBloc weigh cell with built-in overload protection, which offers durability for years of use and abuse. Both balance lines also feature Fully Automatic Calibration Technology (FACT), a temperature-activated internal calibration which ensures accurate and worry-free weighing each and every time.

Service for Easy Upkeep

METTLER TOLEDO knows how tough students can be on equipment. Keeping balances and instruments in peak working condition is very important in a learning environment. METTLER TOLEDO can create a tailored service package to fit the needs of any laboratory. Whether you need service once a year or once a quarter, METTLER TOLEDO has a package to fit the bill. And with the largest group of field service representatives, keeping equipment up and running is easier than ever.

METTLER TOLEDO is a leading global supplier of precision instruments and is the world's largest manufacturer and marketer of weighing instruments for use in laboratory, industrial and food retailing applications. The company is a leading supplier of several related analytical and measurement technologies. METTLER TOLEDO Direct Laboratory Service supports a worldwide customer base in more than 100 countries. Additional information about METTLER TOLEDO can be found on the company web site www. mt. com.

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Kids Dig Into History at New Web Site

Kids Dig Into History at New Web Site

Secrets and Reality of Colonial Maryland Revealed--Online

(PRWEB) October 16, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 14, 2003

CONTACT: Betsy Peisach (410) 581-4042 betsypeisach@mpt. org

Kids Dig Into History at New Web Site

Exploring Maryland's Roots Reveals Secrets and Reality of Colonial

Maryland

OWINGS MILLS, MD (PRWEB) October 15 2003--Dangerous sea voyages, backbreaking labor, and taming a wild land. Is it the next version of "Survivor" or the real lives of Maryland settlers and colonists? Students (grades 4-8) discover the adventure AND the reality at Exploring Maryland's Roots, a new interactive Web site from Maryland Public Television. http://mdroots. thinkport. org/default_flash. asp (http://mdroots. thinkport. org/default_flash. asp)

Developed with a group of advisors from Historic St. Mary's City, the

Maryland State Archives, the Maryland Historical Society, and Maryland

Teachers Exploring Maryland's Roots features primary source documents,

Diaries, sketches, settlement schematics, activities, storybooks, and

Digital video.

With the recent discovery of human remains from the late 17-century at

Leonardtown, MD, interest in archaeology and early history is up,

Especially as modern scientists use new forensic methods to uncover

The mysteries of the past. Kids find mysteries fascinating and with

Exploring Maryland's Roots they research, interact and experience history as the story of real people in a trying time, not as dates to be memorized.

In an online simulation called "Build Your Own Plantation," students

Experience life as it was in the time and face some of the same

Challenges and choices as the early colonists. In this activity,

Students are given 100 acres of land and a few tools and they need to

Make choices about crops and house placement and dodge diseases,

Flood, and drought.

Other exciting interactive activities include a virtual archaeological dig-using where students use their computer mouse to uncover, identify and piece together bits of history. Visit a Woodland Indian village and see what life was like before colonists reached Maryland's shores. and examine the real-life mystery of "The Three Lead Coffins" in St. Mary's City. Student use their powers of deduction to unravel the mystery of who was buried in the lead coffins

Under the chapel and why.

Exploring Maryland's Roots includes an extensive library with case

Studies and biographies of people important to the young colony, and

Related primary source documents. Students can investigate an interactive timeline on slavery illustrated with important

First-person documents from the archives to underscore the events and people that shaped the practice of slavery.

The Web site can be used inside the classroom or out and includes

Teacher resources such as lesson plans coordinated to Maryland Learning Outcomes. Says one 4th grade teacher from St. Augustine School in Elkridge, Maryland: "This is an awesome site! My students are in the middle of their Maryland unit, and we dropped everything to explore this Web site. They thoroughly enjoyed it, especially "Build a Plantation." The archaeology section was also popular."

The site also helps you continue the learning experience offline. The

Section for families includes suggestions for books to read together,

Recipes so kids can try cooking like a colonist, and links to places

To visit in person and tour Maryland's colonial past.

Exploring Maryland's Roots presents a complex and historically accurate

Picture of life in colonial Maryland in a fresh, engaging, and fun way

For kids to dig into history.

Exploring Maryland's Roots, a digital education project of Maryland Public Television, joins MPT's other award-winning online field trips and interactives on the Web designed to inspire and teach Maryland students, including Knowing Poe: The Life and Times of Edgar Allan Poe; Pathways to Freedom: Maryland & the Underground Railroad; Bay Trippers: An Online Field Trip to the Chesapeake Bay; Sense and Dollars; and Plastic Fork Diaries. Experience them all at http://www. thinkport. org> (http://www. thinkport. org>);.

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Book Provides Solutions to Telework Questions

Book Provides Solutions to Telework Questions

Teleworking is critical to attracting and retaining top talent. Although several books have been published on the subject in recent years, Telework: A Critical Component of Your Total Rewards Strategy, published by WorldatWork Press, helps organizations successfully implement or expand telework options to support additional important operational goals of the organization.

(PRWEB) August 22, 2007

A recent WorldatWork study showed a 63% increase from 2004 to 2006 in the number of employers who allowed employees to work remotely at least once per month. However, the success of telework depends heavily on applying it to the right employees and supervisors as well as setting up the proper infrastructure. Many organizations simply implement a telework program without a well-examined strategy, which results in failing programs, resentful managers and frustrated employees.

Teleworking is critical to attracting and retaining top talent. Although several books have been published on the subject in recent years, Telework: A Critical Component of Your Total Rewards Strategy, published by WorldatWork Press, contains the latest information for telework programs. This informational book helps organizations successfully implement or expand telework options to support additional important operational goals of the organization.

Using practical steps and sample templates, the book also explains the human resource, management, legal and technology components of operating a telework plan, and includes a brief discussion of how telework fits into a business continuity plan.

For the manager of an existing unsuccessful telework program, this book is an important standard to measure against and determine where improvements can be made.

Telework: A Critical Component to Your Total Rewards Strategy. Robert King, Editor. WorldatWork Press. 2007. Softcover. ISBN: 978-1-57963-171-0
$27.95 USD Member ($34.95 nonmember) | e-book: $20.95 USD Member ($27.95 nonmember)
Media may request a complimentary copy of the book by sending an email to eryan(at)worldatwork. org.

About WorldatWork®
The Total Rewards Association
WorldatWork (www. worldatwork. org) is an international association of human resources professionals focused on attracting, motivating and retaining employees. Founded in 1955, WorldatWork provides practitioners with knowledge leadership to effectively implement total rewards – compensation, benefits, work-life, performance and recognition, development and career opportunities – by connecting employee engagement to business performance. WorldatWork supports its 30,000 members and customers in 75 countries with thought leadership, education, publications, research and certification.

Press Contact:
Erin Ryan
Media Relations
WorldatWork
Phone: 480/348-7224
E-mail: eryan(at)worldatwork. org
Www. worldatwork. org

This press release was distributed through eMediawire by Human Resources Marketer (HR Marketer: www. HRmarketer. com) on behalf of the company listed above.

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